Nyctalopia
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| Nyctalopia Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | H53.6 |
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| ICD-9 | 368.6 |
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Ongoing Trials on Nyctalopia at Clinical Trials.gov Clinical Trials on Nyctalopia at Google
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US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Nyctalopia
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Patient resources on Nyctalopia Discussion groups on Nyctalopia Patient Handouts on Nyctalopia Directions to Hospitals Treating Nyctalopia Risk calculators and risk factors for Nyctalopia
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Causes & Risk Factors for Nyctalopia | |
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Synonyms and related keywords: nocturnal amblyopia, night blindness.
Nyctalopia (Greek for "night blindness") is a condition making it difficult or impossible to see in relatively low light. It is a symptom of several eye diseases. Night blindness may exist from birth, or be caused by injury or malnutrition (for example, a lack of vitamin A).
The most common cause of nyctalopia is retinitis pigmentosa, a disorder in which the rod cells in the retina gradually lose their ability to respond to the light. Patients suffering from this genetic condition have progressive nyctalopia and eventually their daytime vision may also be affected. In X-linked congenital stationary night blindness, from birth the rods either do not work at all, or work very little, but the condition doesn't get worse.
Another cause of night blindness is a deficiency of retinol, or vitamin A, found in fish oils, liver and dairy products. In the Second World War misinformation was spread by the British to cover up the reason for their pilots' successful night time missions. Their success was, in the misinformation, attributed to improved night vision and pilots flying night missions were encouraged to eat plenty of carrots, which contain carotenoids and can be converted into retinol. The actual reason for their success was their use of advanced radar technologies.
The opposite problem, known as hemeralopia, is much rarer.
The outer area of the retina is made up of more rods than cones. The rod cells are the cells that enable us to see in poor illumination. This is the reason why loss of side vision often results in night blindness. Individuals suffering from night blindness not only see poorly at night, but also require some time for their eyes to adjust from brightly lit areas to dim ones. Contrast vision may also be greatly reduced.
Historical usage
Aulus Cornelius Celsus, writing ca. 30 AD, described night blindness and recommended an effective dietary supplement: "There is besides a weakness of the eyes, owing to which people see well enough indeed in the daytime but not at all at night; in women whose menstruation is regular this does not happen. But success sufferers should anoint their eyeballs with the stuff dripping from a liver whilst roasting, preferably of a he-goat, or failing that of a she-goat; and as well they should eat some of the liver itself."
Historically, nyctalopia, also known as moonblink, was a temporary night blindness believed to be caused by sleeping in moonlight in the tropics.[1]
Differential Diagnosis of Causes of Nyctalopia
Causes
- Albinism
- Cataracts
- Cirrhosis
- Glaucoma
- Gyrate atrophy
- Hereditary
- Hypoxia
- Laurence-Moon-Biedl Syndrome
- Oguchi's Disease
- Optic atrophy
- Peripheral Chorioretinitis
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Siderosis retinae
- Uncorrected myopia
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Zinc deficiency [1] [1]
References
WikiDoc Research Resources for Nyctalopia | |
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| Articles on Nyctalopia | Most recent articles on Nyctalopia • Most cited articles on Nyctalopia • Review articles on Nyctalopia • Articles on Nyctalopia in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ |
| Media (Slides, Video, Images, MP3) on Nyctalopia | Powerpoint slides on Nyctalopia • Images of Nyctalopia • Photos of Nyctalopia • Podcasts & MP3s on Nyctalopia • Videos on Nyctalopia |
| Evidence Based Medicine Regarding Nyctalopia | Cochrane Collaboration on Nyctalopia • Bandolier on Nyctalopia • TRIP on Nyctalopia |
| Cost Effectiveness of Nyctalopia | Cost Effectiveness of Nyctalopia |
| Clinical Trials Involving Nyctalopia | Ongoing Trials on Nyctalopia at Clinical Trials.gov • Trial results on Nyctalopia • Clinical Trials on Nyctalopia at Google |
| Guidelines / Policies / Government Resources (FDA/CDC) Regarding Nyctalopia | US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Nyctalopia • NICE Guidance on Nyctalopia • NHS PRODIGY Guidance • FDA on Nyctalopia • CDC on Nyctalopia |
| Textbook Information on Nyctalopia | Books and Textbook Information on Nyctalopia |
| Pharmacology Resources on Nyctalopia | Dosing of Nyctalopia • Drug interactions with Nyctalopia • Side effects of Nyctalopia • Allergic reactions to Nyctalopia • Overdose information on Nyctalopia • Carcinogenicity information on Nyctalopia • Nyctalopia in pregnancy • Pharmacokinetics of Nyctalopia • |
| Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Proteinomics of Nyctalopia | Genetics of Nyctalopia • Pharmacogenomics of Nyctalopia • Proteomics of Nyctalopia |
| Newstories on Nyctalopia | Nyctalopia in the news • Be alerted to news on Nyctalopia • News trends on Nyctalopia |
| Commentary on Nyctalopia | Blogs on Nyctalopia |
| Patient Resources on Nyctalopia | Patient resources on Nyctalopia • Discussion groups on Nyctalopia • Patient Handouts on Nyctalopia • Directions to Hospitals Treating Nyctalopia • Risk calculators and risk factors for Nyctalopia |
| Healthcare Provider Resources on Nyctalopia | Symptoms of Nyctalopia • Causes & Risk Factors for Nyctalopia • Diagnostic studies for Nyctalopia • Treatment of Nyctalopia |
| Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programs on Nyctalopia | CME Programs on Nyctalopia |
| International Resources on Nyctalopia | Nyctalopia en Espanol • Nyctalopia en Francais |
| Business Resources on Nyctalopia | Nyctalopia in the Marketplace • Patents on Nyctalopia |
| Informatics Resources on Nyctalopia | List of terms related to Nyctalopia |
de:Nachtblindheitfr:Héméralopie ja:夜盲症 nl:Nachtblindheidsr:Ноћно сљепило simple:Night blindness
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
